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Deniliquin Caravan Park
View at the entry to the parkThe caravan park at Deniliquin was extraordinary. It had obviously developed over many years and we were lucky enough to be in a new section. The sites were big nearly enough to park 2 caravans and cars on comfortably and the ‘extras’ for families seemed endless. There was a jumping pillow, huge water slide and an even bigger swimming pool – actually there were 2 pools... It fronted the Edward River and had a large number of ‘on-site’ vans that dated from 40 years ago lining the first rows back from the river. As owners moved on, these establishments were being progressively replaced with new elevated units that would be at home in most suburbs around the country.
The town of Deniliquin does not seem to have a lot for the tourist, other than the annual “Deni Ute Muster”, but we filled in a bit of time backtracking to Mathoura to visit some of the ‘must see’s’ including the Reed Beds Bird hide that is a magnet for many water birds and other bird life. Sadly May is not a good time of the year as there was no water in the Reed Beds and thus, no birds. We did
find a very nice free camp area a bit further along the road however and will keep that in mind for the future. We had also passed a sign on the highway indicating that there was a collection of historical aero related thing at the airport and Geoff was keen to see that, however it transpires that the sign was left there after a one off event sometime last year and there is really nothing to see at all at the Deni airport.
Moving on, Geoff wanted to see the renowned pub at Conargo but that eluded us as well. Nothing lost, it was actually part of the shortest route to Jerilderie and Narrandera, where we stopped at the quaintly named Brewery Flat reserve. Although it is located beside the Newell Hwy. We were able to find a spot a couple of hundred meters away, and set up for the night. We have had several campfires and used the camp oven frequently, and that night Margaret excelled herself with a delicious dish of ‘Italian style’ lamb shanks. Geoff would say that it was all in the preparation of the fire to be able to have a supply of hot
coals to do the job, but a little credit has to go to the cook as well.
A few years ago we got an indoor/outdoor weather station at Aldi and it had been great. It has been especially good when we have been freezing in the morning and can prove that 3 deg. is really a valid justification for turning the heater on. Sadly the ‘outdoor’ part said enough was enough after traveling halfway around the country clinging desperately to the outside of the van when we had forgotten to take it in before setting off. Geoff found a replacement on the internet at Bunnings we made a point of finding the Bunnings in Griffith to make the purchase. The address for the store was rather obtuse, and after dragging the van up and down the main street, with the locals showing a real desire to be given a 6 ton full metal enema by a grumpy Victorian, we eventually found it. Purchase made, we set the GPS for Lake Cargelligo.
Lake Cargelligo is both a town and a lake, roughly 200 due west of Forbes. It offers 3 separate free camping locations on the lake. After looking
Narrandara - Old Brewery camp
Lincoln's Oakbank Brewery remains.
There is some development on the river side of the building - see lower left hand corner of the old building. but it is unclear if it is a residence or an attempt to revitalise the concept. at the one closest to town, we found a far better one at Dead Man’s Point, 3kms out of town. The lake is renowned for its fishing and Geoff did manage to lose a lure there, but it was the usual story – no bites. We did however meet some lovely folk from Northern Rivers
who invited us over to enjoy drinks around their campfire. We spent 2 evenings enjoying the conversations, and were astounded at the speed at which the men could have a roaring fire with lots of coals (critical for cooking in the camp oven). Their hospitality extended to anyone who was in earshot, and we met 2 other couples over the 2 nights. On the first night, it happened to be Margaret’s birthday and we headed into town to see what we could find in the way of a club or such to have a meal. The local bowls club seemed a likely option so we gave it a try. During our happy hour at camp we had all been keeping an eye on the sky, with huge grey clouds gathering in the west. They began by emitting rumbling thunder, and as it got darker, sheet
Lake Cargelligo - Dead Mans Point
This one was heading away from us. and fork lightening became visible. The sky became quite surreal with the setting sun painting the many whole clouds and the edges of the bigger ones in shades of pink and crimson. During the hour that we waited for our Chinese meal in the bowls club, it rained and then poured. We were not looking forward to returning to the dirt camp site, however half way back Geoff noticed the road was in fact dry and the following day, we were told that they only got a sprinkle at the campsite.
As wonderful as the fishing was, it was time to move on. The next stop was a place called Condobolin, a town of reasonable size that is very RV friendly, to the extent that in 1988, they applied for a Bi-Centennial grant to build a lake and picnic/camping area 3 kms out of town. A sign at the site welcomes campers and suggests that a donation would be appropriate for being able to use the location, but “no more than $10”! We stayed 2 nights for our $5, and spent the second day driving around the area. Geoff was very keen to see the “utes in a paddock”
Utes in the paddock - “Ute of Arms”
“Where there is a will there is a way. Like the ever present ants of the outback, Aussies get through it, go around it, dig under it or just get over it. The red kangaroo and the emu , that can’t move backward were chosen as the symbols of the progressive, pioneering spirit of Australian people in the country’s Coat of Arms.” display near Ootha. It is exactly what it says – about 3 kms off the main road, on a dirt road, suddenly around a bend you find a line of Holden utes in a paddock, all on stands of some sort and all painted to tell a story. Some are a collective Indigenous work, some make a political or amusing statement, and others like the Dame Edna Loute (herself on the loo) defy understanding, but are nonetheless amazing. And then of course there was the town of Bogan Gate...
Next stop was just out of Dubbo at a free camp called Terramungamine (pron: you got it the first time) Reserve and that gave us a chance to catch up on washing and shopping in Dubbo. It is a funny little reserve with relatively limited space, although there were other area around a large fenced off area that were not used as much as where we went. We were told by one (long term) camper that the night before we arrived they were packed into every available space. Its popularity probably comes from the dearth of other camping opportunities around Dubbo. Anyway, 2 nights were enough for us and we
“Clancy Stops the Overflow”
“Our most celebrated stockman comes to the rescue again, this time preventing a disastrous waste of valuable ‘Bundy’.
With the help of his loyal steed ‘Banjo’, Clancy arrives just in the nick of time to save the spillage of liquid gold that ensure any party is far dinkum Aussie.”
are now at a low cost camp at the Cassilis Bowling club, where we have power, water, phone and Internet coverage and flushing loo’s not far from our van for $10 night. We are separate from, but sharing the Bowls club with folk from Blaze Aid (
http://blazeaid.com/ ).
Sorry for the delay in getting this one out, we have either had no coverage or no computer power... hazards of being on the road.
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Eug
non-member comment
Stnning views as always
Geoff, you really should think about creating a hardback book!!!